Athlete Blog

Regaining momentum

March 6, 2017

Momentum can be calculated by multiplying something’s mass and velocity. How does this apply to college? College sports? You?

Everything on campus has its own momentum. You have your own momentum. Your daily successes in the classroom, on the field, and as an individual all help build your momentum. This is vital to your success in life because the more momentum you carry, the easier it is for you to blow through adversity. But there will be moments in life where your momentum drops off the table.

Think small.

Admiral McRaven, a former Navy SEAL, spoke to the University of Texas graduates on commencement day and explained the importance of making your own bed. He explained how it helps check off the first task on your long to-do list. You got it done, time to start rolling. I do the same with my morning coffee. I make my coffee right away when I roll out of bed. It’s the psychologically gratifying feeling of checking off a box on your to-do list. So when things are tough, make every little thing a goal and a task that you can crush. Focus on getting out of bed on a good note, dress well, get a good breakfast in, and make it to class on time. Participate in class. Have a good laugh with a buddy. Go to practice. Get a great warm up in. Get excellent reps in. Grab a snack. Do your homework. Call it a night. Then you’ll feel momentum build as days go by, then you’ll be back in full force before you know it.

Make it to the next meal.

I have to admit, this past summer was one of the most challenging summers I’ve ever had. I had classes every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. After classes, I had to grab food then hit the books and finish my coursework before midnight then repeat the routine for eight weeks straight. It was not for the faint of heart. The program pushed our limits, and I had to narrow my thinking all the way down “to the next meal.” I only thought a few hours ahead. I just focused on making it to the next meal. I didn’t think about how much work I had to do in between and all. I just knew that I was going to have a meal in the morning, noontime, midafternoon and dinnertime. It was a reminder that things will end, especially when I was taking the budgeting course! After I took up that “one meal at a time” mentality, I noticed that I had more energy going into late afternoons. I was able to refocus after every meal instead of being hyper focused all the time then becoming strung out after lunch. As time went on, my thinking made me stronger because I had built my “mental momentum” and wasn’t even fazed when professors threw extra course work our way.

Think simple, small and take things one step at a time. Before you realize anything, you’ll be firing on all cylinders and blowing through tough days.